Difference between SH3 and SH4?

[TDK1044]

If you're expecting SH4 to be radically different from SH3 then you should pass. It is after all based on the SH3 game engine.

The graphical look of the game is much improved, and the Devs certainly learned a lot from SH3, but in the end it is what it is....a much improved version of SH3 set in a US sub in the Pacific.

[KiwiVenge]

Originally Posted by TDK1044

....a much improved version of SH3 set in a US sub in the Pacific.

I think what he is asking is how is it improved? Is it only graphics that have changed?
Personally I do not know the answer to his question or would offer one

[TDK1044]

I think he's a prime candidate for 'wait a few weeks after the release of the game and decide to purchase or not based on Forum feedback'.

[Spin Doctor]

"Much Improved, how" is indeed my question.

I've searched the forum for awhile and either I've missed them all, or there are no threads talking about specific improvements over SH3. I've read the generic marketing verbage, but I'd rather know what your guys think since you are the ones with the most experience with the sim.

I do appreciate TDK1044's response, but to say SH4 is "much improved" doesn't tell me anything.

Thanks

Edit: to say, you are right TDK. I did buy SH3 within hours of its release, but SH4 have to be a wait and see.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

Edit: to say, you are right TDK. I did buy SH3 within hours of its release, but SH4 have to be a wait and see.

I always wait for the first few patches to be released, although, I do admit that it is difficult.

[trenken]

It seems the interface was a big focus this time around. They mention it in every interview. Sounds like they simplified quite a bit to try and draw players that may have been too scared to jump into a game with this kind of complexity. It's not known yet that if these changes will actually upset the hardcore sim fan though. But in every interview ive read, simplifying and streamlining the interface and the gameplay itself was a top priority.

I'm sure at this point that doing whatever you can to sell more copies is very important, otherwise we may never see SH5 if the game doesn't generate enough money for the company. I know SH3 only sold in the 6 figure range, don't know if that was in the lower or higher half though. Either way, that's not too bad for a sim, but when you consider how much money goes into making a game like this for 2 years, you would have to think that if they arent hitting the millions, then it's probably not generating a huge profit.

[Boris]

Well, the missions won't be the same old, same old boringness of grid clearing as in SH3.

You'll have commando drop offs, photo reckon, pilot rescue, specific targets etc. Mission objectives will also change during missions.

As for the ability to night attack, don't know how the AI will react. But it is moddable. GWX vastly improved this instance for SH3, allowing you to get closer than 1km to enemy ships in some cases... being able to slip past the escorts and into a convoy on the surface.

[Spin Doctor]

Thanks for the tip Boris. I've been thinking of getting back into SH3 so I will check out your GWX mod.

Does it overwrite the other mods I have installed? I can't remember which I have, but I believe the major one is the depth charge mod. Other than that, it's mostly stock.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

Thanks for the tip Boris. I've been thinking of getting back into SH3 so I will check out your GWX mod.

Does it overwrite the other mods I have installed? I can't remember which I have, but I believe the major one is the depth charge mod. Other than that, it's mostly stock.

GWX isn't mine, though I had a small hand in it's creation as a member of the mod team.

If you're going to install GWX, then you will need a clean installation of SH3 patched to 1.4b. The installer won't let GWX install onto anything else. Make sure you also get the recently released 1.02 patch for GWX, and install that immediately after the GWX install.
JoneSoft generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) is included in the install, as are a number of optional mods. You can put any extra mods in that you want and enable them with JSGME, but it's in your intersests to make sure they are GWX compatible (in general, everything released since GWX).
What does the depth charge mod do and how old is it? You'll find that most things have been completely overhauled in GWX anyway, so you might not need it.

[Sailor Steve]

Differences I've seen so far:

Much improved crew management with assigned watch bills and automatic rotation.

Upgraded weather with dynamic cloud shifts.

Completely changed damage-control system.

Special missions.

[Spin Doctor]

Originally Posted by Boris

GWX isn't mine, though I had a small hand in it's creation as a member of the mod team.

If you're going to install GWX, then you will need a clean installation of SH3 patched to 1.4b. The installer won't let GWX install onto anything else. Make sure you also get the recently released 1.02 patch for GWX, and install that immediately after the GWX install.
JoneSoft generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) is included in the install, as are a number of optional mods. You can put any extra mods in that you want and enable them with JSGME, but it's in your intersests to make sure they are GWX compatible (in general, everything released since GWX).
What does the depth charge mod do and how old is it? You'll find that most things have been completely overhauled in GWX anyway, so you might not need it.

Loosely remembered, the depth charge mod made changes based on research that said charges may have been too effective for a given depth. I also had some graphics mods for better using the plot screen. I can't remember how to do any of that stuff, so I'll be a noob capt for awhile. I was pretty good at getting hits at one point. I remember my girlfriend saying how if she heard the bubbling sounds coming from the computer room, she wasn't going to see me that night, lol.

I've been reading the manual (wow is it extensive! Great work!) so it may be that the mods I was using have been incorporated. I'm getting the files now, so I'll probably play though a couple of missions to get my feet wet so to speak, then uninstall the old SH3 and reinstall it with the GWX. I know this had to be a lot of work, so thanks to all involved.

[Sgian Dubh]

Originally Posted by Boris

Well, the missions won't be the same old, same old boringness of grid clearing as in SH3.

You'll have commando drop offs, photo reckon, pilot rescue, specific targets etc. Mission objectives will also change during missions.

As for the ability to night attack, don't know how the AI will react. But it is moddable. GWX vastly improved this instance for SH3, allowing you to get closer than 1km to enemy ships in some cases... being able to slip past the escorts and into a convoy on the surface.

Really?

My experience with GWX thus far is that the ships all seem to have long-range, night-vision equipment....

[Mush Martin]

Originally Posted by Boris

Well, the missions won't be the same old, same old boringness of grid clearing as in SH3.

You'll have commando drop offs, photo reckon, pilot rescue, specific targets etc. Mission objectives will also change during missions.

As for the ability to night attack, don't know how the AI will react. But it is moddable. GWX vastly improved this instance for SH3, allowing you to get closer than 1km to enemy ships in some cases... being able to slip past the escorts and into a convoy on the surface.

:hmm:

[Barkhorn1x]

Originally Posted by KiwiVenge

I think what he is asking is how is it improved? Is it only graphics that have changed?
Personally I do not know the answer to his question or would offer one

What we know - besides the graphics overhall - is;
- Double the radio traffic
- "missions" assigned while at sea
- the opportunity to take part in various historical battles

But still, much of the time you are going to travel to a patrol area to sink stuff. If that is boring to you then you should pass.

Barkhorn.

[Janus]

Originally Posted by Barkhorn1x

What we know - besides the graphics overhall - is;
- Double the radio traffic
[...]
But still, much of the time you are going to travel to a patrol area to sink stuff. If that is boring to you then you should pass.

Barkhorn.

Double the radio traffic - compared to "be more aggressive" and "good job" you get from BdU in SHIII what can there be in SHIV?

The campaign definately was the weak spot in SHIII for me: missions always the same, no communication with BdU and most of all no Wolfpacks and some other stuff.

It would have been cool if the SHIII campaign would have been more like Falcon 4's campaign for example.